How To Easily Set And Adjust The Time On Your Fitbit Watch A Step By Step Guide

One of the most essential functions of any smartwatch is accurate timekeeping. For Fitbit users, whether you're tracking workouts, monitoring sleep, or managing daily notifications, having the correct time displayed ensures everything runs smoothly. The good news? Setting and adjusting the time on your Fitbit watch is straightforward — especially when you know where to look and what steps to follow.

Unlike traditional watches that require manual adjustments for daylight saving or time zones, Fitbit devices are designed to sync automatically with your smartphone. However, issues can arise due to connectivity problems, app settings, or accidental changes. This guide walks you through every method available to set and adjust the time on your Fitbit, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure your device stays perfectly in sync.

How Fitbit Watches Handle Time Automatically

By default, all modern Fitbit watches and trackers use your paired smartphone’s system time to set the correct time zone and clock display. When Bluetooth is active and your Fitbit app is running in the background, your device receives time updates automatically. This means no manual input is usually required after initial setup.

The automatic sync includes:

• Current local time based on your phone’s GPS and network settings
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustments
• Time zone changes when traveling

This seamless integration is powered by Fitbit’s cloud infrastructure, which communicates directly with your phone via the Fitbit app. According to Fitbit support, over 95% of time-related user inquiries stem from temporary sync failures rather than configuration errors.

“Your Fitbit mirror’s your phone’s clock. If the time is off, check your phone first — it’s almost always the source.” — Fitbit Customer Experience Team

Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Adjust Time Settings

If your Fitbit displays the wrong time despite being connected, follow these steps to manually trigger a sync or adjust settings:

1. Open the Fitbit App on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
3. Select your device image under “Devices.”
4. Scroll down and tap “Device Settings.”
5. Look for “Time Zone” or “Clock Display.”
6. Ensure “Set Automatically” is toggled ON.
7. If off, toggle it on and select your current time zone from the list.
8. Exit the app and wait 60 seconds for the change to push to your watch.

To confirm the update, press the side button on your Fitbit to wake the screen. The home clock face should now reflect the corrected time within moments. If not, proceed to force a sync.

Tip: Enable “Auto-Detect Time Zone” in your phone’s settings to ensure seamless travel adjustments.

Force Syncing Your Fitbit to Update Time

Sometimes, even with correct settings, the time doesn’t update immediately. A forced sync resolves this:

1. On your phone, open the Fitbit app.
2. Swipe down on the dashboard screen (or tap the sync icon).
3. Wait for the sync animation to complete.
4. Check your Fitbit watch — the time should now be accurate.

If syncing fails:

• Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• Close and reopen the Fitbit app.
• Ensure your Fitbit has at least 30% battery (low power may disable syncing).
• Move closer to your phone (within 10 feet).

In rare cases, restarting both your Fitbit and smartphone clears persistent sync blocks. To restart your Fitbit, go to Settings > About > Restart (varies slightly by model).

Changing Clock Format: 12-Hour vs. 24-Hour Display

While the actual time is pulled from your phone, the way it's displayed depends on your Fitbit’s clock format setting. You can switch between 12-hour (AM/PM) and 24-hour (military time) formats independently of your phone.

To change the format:

1. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings.
2. Tap “Clock Face” or “Display Options.”
3. Select “Time Format.”
4. Choose either 12-hour or 24-hour.
5. Confirm and allow time to refresh on your watch.

Feature	Controlled By	Can Be Customized?
Actual Time & Time Zone	Phone System Settings	No (auto-sync only)
Clock Format (12h/24h)	Fitbit Device Settings	Yes
Daylight Saving Adjustment	Phone + Network	No
Watch Face Design	User Selection	Yes (via Gallery)

This distinction is important: changing the format doesn’t alter the actual time — just how it appears on screen. Users in healthcare, aviation, or military roles often prefer 24-hour format for clarity during shift work.

Troubleshooting Common Time Issues

Even with automation, occasional glitches happen. Below are frequent issues and their solutions:

Issue: Time Is Wrong After Traveling

Your Fitbit didn’t update after crossing time zones. Fix: Ensure “Set Automatically” is enabled and open the Fitbit app upon arrival. It typically updates within two minutes of detecting a new location.

Issue: AM/PM Is Reversed

This often occurs if the phone’s region settings are mismatched. Go to your phone’s Settings > General > Language & Region and verify your locale is correct (e.g., United States vs. United Kingdom).

Issue: Watch Shows Old Time After Battery Drain

If your Fitbit dies completely, it may temporarily display an incorrect time until it reconnects. Simply charge it, turn it on, and initiate a manual sync.

Tip: If time issues persist, uninstall and reinstall the Fitbit app — this resets connection caches and often resolves deep sync errors.

Real Example: Sarah’s Cross-Country Flight

Sarah flew from Los Angeles to New York for a business meeting. Upon landing, her Fitbit still showed Pacific Time, causing confusion during her 9:00 AM call (which was actually 12:00 PM Eastern). She opened the Fitbit app, waited ten seconds, and saw the sync notification appear. Within 30 seconds, her watch updated to the correct time. The fix took less than a minute — but could have caused scheduling issues had she not checked.

This scenario highlights why travelers should open the Fitbit app shortly after landing. Automatic detection works well, but a manual trigger speeds up the process.

Essential Checklist for Perfect Time Accuracy

Use this checklist monthly or after major trips to keep your Fitbit on schedule:

• ✅ Confirm your phone’s date and time are set to “Automatic”
• ✅ Verify “Set Automatically” is ON in Fitbit device settings
• ✅ Perform a manual sync after long flights or DST changes
• ✅ Check clock format preference matches your needs
• ✅ Restart your Fitbit if time lags after updates
• ✅ Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and app permissions are granted

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the time manually without my phone?

No. Fitbit does not allow direct manual time entry on the device. All time adjustments must come through the paired smartphone via the Fitbit app.

Why does my Fitbit show a different time than my phone?

This usually indicates a failed sync. First, restart Bluetooth, then force a sync in the app. If the discrepancy continues, check your phone’s system time and ensure no third-party apps are overriding it.

Does airplane mode affect my Fitbit’s time?

Yes. While the internal clock keeps running, it cannot receive updates in airplane mode. Once normal connectivity resumes, it will sync back to the correct time — assuming your phone has accurate data.

Final Thoughts: Stay on Time, Every Time

Maintaining accurate time on your Fitbit isn’t complicated — it just requires understanding how the ecosystem works. Your phone acts as the master clock, and your Fitbit follows its lead. By keeping settings aligned, enabling automatic detection, and performing quick syncs when needed, you’ll avoid timing errors that disrupt your day.

Whether you're logging a morning run, tracking sleep stages, or receiving calendar alerts, precision matters. A few seconds spent checking your settings can prevent missed meetings, workout mislogs, or confusion during travel.

💬 Got a Fitbit time glitch story or tip? Share your experience in the comments — your insight could help another user stay perfectly on schedule!